Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 183 The Three-Family Alliance and the Xu Family's Countermeasures (One more chapter at noon)

"Since Brother Zhou has put it this way, we will not insist."

The Yuan family head clasped his hands and said, "However, I ask the Zhou family not to protect the Xu family because of marriage ties."

"Brother Yuan, rest assured, the Zhou family's word is as good as gold."

"Then I've troubled you; farewell."

The heads of the Yuan, Huang, and Lu families, along with the heads of the other prominent families, all departed.

Among these prominent families, some may have genuinely become suspicious, while others have set their sights on the Xu family.

Especially the Yuan family.

This pest infestation allowed them to find the Xu family's mistakes and also led the Zhou family to agree not to interfere.

He believed that as long as he could contact enough families, he could swallow up a newly emerging Qi Refining family like the Xu family.

The pills and magical artifacts that had been leaked from the Xu family's trading company were truly coveted by the Yuan family.

If it were just the Yuan family alone, they might not dare to easily provoke this young tiger, after all, everyone had witnessed Xu Mingwei's strength firsthand.

To stop or even kill him, it would probably take at least three cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and each of them would need a high-grade defensive magic weapon for protection.

Yuan family.

Meeting hall.

An elder at the late stage of Qi Refining asked, "Patriarch, are you really going to take action against the Xu family? Judging from the Xu Family Trading Company, the Xu family's foundation is truly profound."

The Yuan family head said, "It is not small, but the Xu family only has a dozen or so cultivators. Even with the recent recruitment of three rogue cultivators, it is definitely not enough to reach twenty."

Most of them were early to mid-stage cultivators, and now was the best time to take over the Xu family.

With a master alchemist like Xu Chuan, even if you just pile up pills, you can still get all the cultivators in the Xu family to the late stage of Qi Refining.

If we don't eliminate them now, I'm afraid my Yuan family will never even be able to be shaken.

After a pause, the Yuan family head continued, "Moreover, how do you know that the Xu family isn't watching my Yuan family? Apart from the two spiritual energy nodes controlled by the Zhou family, the spiritual energy in my Yuan family's territory is the most abundant."

You've forgotten how many powerful families were ultimately defeated or even wiped out because of struggles over spiritual energy.

"Twenty or twenty years from now, will the elders be willing to hand over the Yuan family's ancestral land?"

"This"

Everyone remained silent, and many felt that the Yuan family head's words made sense.

The Xu family's various actions in recent years have clearly revealed their ambitions.

"Would the Zhou family just leave the Xu family like this?" an elder asked.

A hint of helplessness flashed in the eyes of the Yuan family patriarch. "If I'm not mistaken, the two families must have already secretly made an alliance to not interfere with each other."

"The Zhou family is willing to do this?"

"Don't forget that Xu Chuan is a master of alchemy who far surpasses Zhou Sen. It's only natural that he would offer conditions that the Zhou family couldn't refuse. I think it must involve the cultivation of that Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Zhou family."

The Yuan family's eldest elder said, "If that's the case, any family would be willing."

"The stronger the Zhou family patriarch is, the more prosperous the Zhou family will become, and there is even a chance to cultivate the next Foundation Establishment cultivator and continue the status of the hegemonic family."

"The Elder is right," said the Yuan family head. "If the Xu family wants to advance further, it must move to a ancestral home with more abundant spiritual energy, otherwise it will be detrimental to the cultivation of the family's cultivators in the future."

Many elders were persuaded by him and agreed to attack the Xu family.

"However, we must be cautious about this matter and proceed slowly. We must win over enough allies, otherwise, because of your actions, my Yuan family may face a great calamity," the Yuan family's eldest elder said solemnly after thinking it over.

"Of course!" The Yuan family head also said solemnly, "I will not allow my Yuan family to fall into danger and have its centuries-old heritage destroyed in an instant."

Since they had guessed that the Xu family would eventually target the Yuan family, the Yuan family naturally wouldn't sit idly by and wait for their doom.

The conflict over territory was almost a life-or-death struggle.

Unless one of them is willing to voluntarily give up.

However, the Yuan family would never be interested in Dongxi; only if the Yuan family relinquished their own territory would it be acceptable.

But the Yuan family has occupied this spiritual energy node for two or three hundred years, how could they possibly give it up so easily!

----------

Seven days later.

The various Qi cultivation families gathered once again at the Zhou family's Qingyue Terrace.

This time, Xu Chuan was the one who went to the Xu family again.

The Zhou family did not change the seating arrangement at all.

After Xu Chuan took his seat, Zhou Shaoyuan transmitted his voice to him and asked, "Brother Xu, many prominent families, including the Yuan, Huang, and Lu families, have speculated that the previous insect infestation was related to the Xu family. Is this true?"

Xu Chuan replied with a smile: "Brother Zhou is joking. My Xu family is clearly helping each family defend against pests. We are just charging some fees as a side benefit. This is reasonable, isn't it?"

After all, my Xu family has never forced any family to buy our insect repellent.

"I trust the Xu family, but these other families seem unwilling. You'd better be careful later. My Zhou family has already made it clear to them that we will not interfere in this matter."

"Of course, if they try to harm Brother Xu on my Zhou family's territory, my Zhou family will not allow it."

"Thanks for letting me know."

About half an hour later, a similar magical flying boat came from afar and stopped above the Qingyue Terrace.

The imperial envoy this time was not the same person as last time, but the Foundation Establishment elder was the same one.

The messenger comes and goes, but the foundation remains unbroken.

The imperial envoy didn't say much. As soon as he arrived, he ordered his armored guards to start collecting taxes, clearly just going through the motions.

Because of the shadow of last year, all the households handed over rice that had been stored for the past two years.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the process is complete.

"Indeed, it seems they've learned their lesson from last year and are behaving themselves."

The imperial envoy said something indifferently, then returned to the flying boat with the others.

The next moment, trailing a long, blue streak of light, it sped away.

“Patriarch Zhou, now that the tax payment is complete, we should take our leave. However, before that, I have something I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Xu for confirmation.”

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and said, "Patriarch Yuan, you're too kind. Please feel free to ask me anything."

Xu Chuan took a sip of the spiritual tea, his expression calm.

"As everyone knows, this year, my Moon Lake County was inexplicably plagued by pests, causing heavy losses to every household, and almost making it impossible to collect this year's spirit tax."

As far as I know, only Xu Mingshu from your Xu family in the entire Yuehu County knows the art of beast taming.

Even the Zhou family suffered huge losses, while your Xu family seems unaffected. In fact, your Xu family trading company was recently selling large quantities of spirit rice.

Many heads of prominent families looked at Xu Chuan with suspicion on their faces.

Xu Chuan put down his teacup, squinted at the Yuan family head, and said, "Does the Yuan family head suspect my Xu family? Does your Yuan family have any evidence?"
If not, can Mr. Xu consider this a provocation from your Yuan family against my Xu family?

The Lu family head said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please don't misunderstand. It's just that the series of events are too coincidental, which makes people suspicious. As long as Fellow Daoist Xu provides evidence to prove that it was not the Xu family's doing, we will all apologize."

“That’s right,” the Huang family patriarch echoed.

Several heads of sixth-grade Qi Refining families were also present.

"A mere apology is not enough to tarnish the reputation of the Xu family."

"What does Fellow Daoist Xu wish to do?" the Yuan family patriarch asked.

"If you come to my Xu family to formally apologize and offer an additional five hundred spirit stones, my Xu family can let this matter go. Otherwise, if anyone here criticizes my Xu family today, my Xu family will hold a grudge against them."

"Five hundred spirit stones per family?!" The Yuan family patriarch's pupils constricted slightly, and he said calmly, "The Xu family has quite the appetite."

If the Xu family succeeds, wouldn't they instantly gain seven or eight high-grade magic artifacts?

"You can also use high-grade magic tools, or equivalent spiritual herbs or demon beast materials to offset the cost. As for pills, don't bring the pills made by your aristocratic family alchemists to my Xu family and embarrass yourselves."

Xu Chuan scanned the crowd and said, "If anyone still has any doubts, please step forward. Once we have confirmed the number of people, I will provide you with the evidence."

The Yuan, Lu, and Huang families exchanged glances.

Several sixth-rank aristocratic families began to back down. One of them said, "Fellow Daoist Xu misunderstands. Since you say so, then I naturally believe that this matter was not done by the Xu family."

"I also believe it was not the Xu family who did it."

Xu Chuan sneered inwardly. No matter when, whether immortal or mortal, there are always people who are opportunistic.

The remaining three are fifth-rank aristocratic families.

The head of the Lu family transmitted his voice: "Brother Yuan, what should we do now? I never thought that Xu Chuan would be so difficult to deal with. Originally, we were the ones who threatened him, but with just one sentence, he has made things difficult for us."

Five hundred spirit stones isn't a huge amount, but it's not insignificant either. It's just enough to make us feel the pinch, but not something we can't afford.

"Yes, it's neither good nor bad," the Huang family head said. "The main problem of the insect infestation is over. Even if the Xu family really has problems, they have probably already been resolved."

I think we should let it go today.

"Brother Huang's words make sense. What do you think, Brother Yuan?"

Since you two have both quit, what else can I do?
Are we fighting alone?
"Alright, we'll do as you two say. But you should also feel the Xu family's toughness, right? The Xu family is still hiding in the countryside of the county town."

"As long as the Xu family is determined to become a Foundation Establishment family, they absolutely need spiritual energy nodes. Apart from the two spiritual energy nodes occupied by the Zhou family, our three family territories have the most abundant spiritual energy."

The head of the Yuan family didn't say much, leaving it at that.

He believed that the Lu and Huang families would make a decision.

He didn't just target these two families; he also planned to win over and persuade several other fifth-rank aristocratic families.

He refused to believe that, no matter how deep the Xu family's foundation was, they could withstand the siege of five or six fifth-rank aristocratic families at the same time!

The head of the Yuan family looked at Xu Chuan, then clasped his hands in a fist and smiled slightly, "Fellow Daoist Xu is so confident, perhaps we have misunderstood. I, Yuan, will personally apologize to you here."

The same applies to the heads of the Lu and Huang families.

“My Xu family is not petty. Since the three family heads are all so reasonable, then let’s drop this matter. But remember this lesson and never have any more unfounded suspicions.”

"Haha, definitely." The head of the Yuan family smiled broadly, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhou Shaoyuan and said, "Brother Zhou, we shall take our leave now."

"Take care, I won't see you off." Zhou Shaoyuan also clasped his hands in a fist salute.

The head of the Yuan family turned around, his face immediately turning gloomy, a cold smile appearing on his lips, and he stepped away on his sword.

Xu Chuan, let's see how long your Xu family can remain arrogant.

One after another, the heads of Qi-cultivating families left, and in the blink of an eye, only Xu Chuan and Zhou Shaoyuan remained.

Zhou Shaoyuan stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xu Chuan, his gaze also fixed on the departing figures. "Yuan Chenggang may not be the most talented and ambitious among the past heads of the Yuan family, but he is still of above-average ability."

He is cautious and prudent, adaptable and flexible, but his nature is tinged with cunning and ruthlessness.

He turned to look at Xu Chuan, "The Xu family has probably completely offended the Yuan family this time. I think the Huang family and the Lu family seem to be showing signs of forming an alliance with the Yuan family."

After hesitating for a moment, he then asked, "Do you need the Zhou family's help?"

Xu Chuan looked at Zhou Shaoyuan, a slight smile playing on his lips. "If my Xu family were truly an ordinary, unremarkable family, the Yuan family wouldn't be able to persuade other families even if they wanted to."

But ever since my Xu family obtained 30% of the Su family's resources, the seeds of all trouble have been sown.

Even if my Xu family were to publicly declare now that we have absolutely no plans to exploit the spiritual energy nodes surrounding the county town, no one would believe us.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaoyuan's lips twitched slightly, his mind filled with complaints. Such rapid development, and yet they were still trading high-grade pills and magic artifacts every now and then.

My Zhou family is not so arrogant.

They also spread their businesses throughout the entire prefecture and surrounding counties.

What is the purpose of this?

Anyone with eyes can see it at a glance.

If it weren't for the oath and alliance made between my Zhou family ancestor and you, my Zhou family would have already taken action.

Xu Chuan seemed to see through his thoughts, and smiled as he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "These past few years, thanks to the deterrence of the Zhou family, my Xu family has been able to enjoy several years of peace. This is enough."

"Is your Xu family really confident?" Zhou Shaoyuan's expression was extremely solemn. He could foresee that at least three fifth-rank families would join forces to deal with the Xu family.

even more.

However, if the Xu family wins.

Its resources and foundation are probably comparable to those of the Zhou family.

The only thing lacking is the number of cultivators and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

Of course, with the Zhou-Xu alliance in place, the Zhou family was also happy to have such a strong ally.

Xu Chuan smiled without saying a word and pointed to the sky.

"gone."

Xu Chuan put his hands behind his back and left on his sword.

"Who knows?" Zhou Shaoyuan muttered.

He told Zhou Qingfang about what happened today, and Zhou Qingfang smiled and said, "No need to interfere."

Zhou Shaoyuan finally dispelled his doubts and allowed the Zhou family to become spectators in this turmoil among aristocratic families.

a few days later.

The heads of the Huang and Lu families pondered the words of the Yuan family head and began to worry.

If the Xu family truly wants to obtain a spiritual energy node, then they should naturally target the Yuan family.

However, the Yuan family's strength and foundation are indeed much stronger than the other fifth-rank families, making them not so easy to defeat.

If they were the Xu family, they would probably target either the Huang family or the Lu family.

The spiritual energy of their ancestral land is also quite plausible.

However, if the Xu family doesn't make a move, they can't guess which family the Xu family will ultimately target.

This is like having a sharp sword hanging over one's head, making it impossible to eat or sleep peacefully.

After clan discussion.

Both the Huang and Lu families agreed to form an alliance with the Yuan family.

The heads of the three families all swore an oath to stand together in dealing with the Xu family.

"Brother Huang, Brother Lu, the Xu family's resources have never been revealed to anyone, but judging from the resources that the Xu family has provided, they are probably even deeper than those of my Yuan family."

These past few years have been enough for the Xu family to absorb a significant portion of the Su family's resources. Therefore, before truly taking action against the Xu family, our three families should do more to persuade the other prominent families.

If there are huge profits to be made, I believe they will eventually be tempted.

The head of the Lu family said, "Brother Yuan, aren't you overthinking this? The three families combined have more late-stage Qi Refining cultivators than the entire Xu family combined."

Yuan Chenggang said solemnly, "This is a battle of righteousness, a fight to the death. No preparation is too thorough. Neither of you would want your family to be in crisis because of defeat, would you?"

The Huang family head nodded and said to the Lu family head, "Brother Lu, Brother Yuan is the most cautious. We should listen to Brother Yuan."

The head of the Lu family nodded slightly.

Yuan Chenggang said, "It's not that I'm being cautious, but the Xu family has the confidence to do so. On the surface, the Xu family has only recruited three rogue cultivators, but what about in secret?"

The Xu family has 30% of the Su family's resources, plus a master alchemist who can consistently refine high-grade pills. If they were to recruit them, which rogue cultivator would refuse?
"If you two were independent cultivators, would you have refused?"

The two looked at each other, their eyes showing a bitter smile, and both shook their heads.

"Moreover, don't forget that the Xu family has two geniuses, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian. If they were to wield top-quality magical artifacts, they would be incredibly troublesome."

"Exquisite magical artifacts are rare. I, Yuan, can assure you that I possess none of that caliber. My Yuan family, however, does not have any."

"My Huang family also has none."

"My Lu family has no such opportunity."

“But the Xu family has at least three items,” Yuan Chenggang affirmed.

Of course, the only thing he could be sure of was the Xuanwu Seal of Su Yuanze, the former head of the Su family. He said this only to stir up the greed of the two of them.

"As for high-grade magic artifacts, Wu Mingsheng has at least a dozen of them; otherwise, he wouldn't have released one or two to the merchants."

As long as the materials are continuously supplied, the high-quality magical artifacts will also be continuously produced.

“My Huang family also extended an invitation back then, but Wu Mingsheng was unwilling at all.”

Yuan Chenggang laughed and said, "He even rejected the Zhou family, so why would he take a fancy to your Huang family? However, the fact that the Xu family recruited him means that, besides being impressed, they must have made a promise that he couldn't refuse."

The head of the Lu family pondered and said, "You mean the Xu family will help Wu Mingsheng reach the Qi Refining Perfection stage and then attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

The Xu family really has a grand gesture.

Even the Zhou family wouldn't do that, unless Wu Mingsheng is a master craftsman capable of forging exquisite magical artifacts.

"If he really had such abilities, why would he still be in our Yuehu County? He would have gone to the capital to seek refuge with a first or second-rank noble family, or even the Cao family of the imperial family," the Huang family head chuckled.

“In short,” Yuan Chenggang said, “we should not take any action in the short term. It would be fine to delay for a year or two. Once we have won over enough powerful families and are fully prepared, we can catch them off guard.”

"Alright, we'll do as Brother Yuan says!"

------------

Xu Chuan had a plan in mind when he returned from the Zhou family.

He didn't hide it from Xu Mingwei and the others, and called over Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, the five others, as well as Xu Dezhao and Xu Deling.

Inform this matter.

After hearing what Xu Chuan said, they all fell silent, their expressions solemn.

Each of them mentally compared the difference in combat strength between themselves and the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families, estimating their chances of winning.

They were well aware of the Xu family's advantages, but their disadvantages were also obvious, namely, the number of people.

This is precisely the advantage of the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families.

They estimated that, in terms of late-stage Qi Refining alone, the three families combined surpassed all the cultivators in the Xu family.

"Father, before they make a move, I'll go to each family and strike first!"

Xu Mingwei felt deeply threatened by the alliance of the three families, which made him uneasy.

If a major war were to break out, the loss of even one member of the Xu family would be something he didn't want to see.

“Big brother, I’ll go with you,” Xu Mingshu said, then looked at Xu Mingxian, “Mingxian, you come too. If we encounter a formation, we need you to break it quickly.”

Xu Mingxian glanced at Xu Chuan, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I will follow Father's arrangements."

"Brother, Ming Shu, don't be impulsive," Xu Mingyuan said. "There's no rush. I think that while we are wary of the three families joining forces, they are also wary of my Xu family."

The three families would never want to fight to the death with my Xu family, otherwise it would give them an opportunity to take advantage of us.

Therefore, they will continue to wait, trying to win over more powerful families, until they can destroy the Xu family with an absolute advantage.

This could take several months, or even a year and a half.

Xu Mingshu said, "Wouldn't it be better to strike now and catch them off guard?"

“What Auntie said makes sense, but I think that our Xu family is developing at full speed in many things. It would not be wise to fight the Yuan, Lu and Huang families at this time, at least it would be detrimental to the overall situation of our Xu family.”

Upon hearing Xu Dezhao's words, Xu Deling also said, "I agree with what my elder brother said, Father. I am currently too busy studying weapon crafting to have any interest in fighting with the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families."

Xu Mingshu looked at Xu Mingxuan and said, "Third Brother, your intuition is the most accurate. Say something."

Xu Mingxuan said with a wry smile, "Mingshu, my second brother also said that this matter will not happen for at least several months or even a year and a half. I can't possibly have any intuition about the fortune or misfortune of such a distant future."

Xu Chuan closed his eyes, calmly listening to their argument.

Xu Mingyuan, being the most perceptive, was the first to notice Xu Chuan's unusual behavior.

"The Xu family has been built up by my father, and he should be the one who cares about the Xu family the most. Is he confident now, or is he waiting for us to come to a conclusion?"

After thinking it over, he cupped his hands and said to Xu Chuan, "I ask Father to make a decision."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed to Xu Chuan, saying, "Please make the decision, Father!"

Xu Chuan opened his eyes, glanced around, and said with a faint smile, "You haven't even come to many conclusions yet, and you expect me to make the decision?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "There are three conclusions at present. First, we should launch an attack on the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families in advance to catch them off guard."

Second, we will use the cave and stream as a defensive barrier, wait for them to attack, and then use the large formation to thwart them.

Third, prioritize the development of the family and find ways to turn conflict into harmony.

"Are these the only three?" Xu Chuan asked casually.

"Father, what else could it be?" Xu Mingshu asked, puzzled.

"Are none of these three options to your liking, Father?" Xu Mingwei pondered.

Xu Mingyuan also began to think deeply.

The quiet room was completely silent.

A moment later, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan almost simultaneously thought of something, and their eyes lit up.

Just as they were about to speak, they realized that the other person also had something to say.

"Second brother, you speak."

"No, you tell me, brother."

Xu Mingwei nodded and looked at Xu Chuan, saying, "Fourth, we can make them fight amongst themselves, like dogs biting each other. But that's difficult."

“That’s right.” Xu Mingyuan said, “My brother and I think the same way. Since the three families have joined forces, they must have made a vow that they will stand together, at least in the matter of targeting our Xu family.”

It's difficult to divide people based on shared interests.

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "At least your minds haven't completely hardened yet. You guys still have a lot to learn from your eldest and second eldest brothers."

Then he looked at Xu Dezhao and said, "Dezhao's overall perspective is getting better and better. At this time, fighting is indeed not conducive to the overall development of my Xu family."

"As for Deling, you can focus on studying the art of weaponry; you don't need to worry about these things."

Xu Deling said somewhat awkwardly, "Grandpa, I was just talking nonsense. If the family were really in danger, how could I only care about myself?"

"Don't worry, Grandpa isn't just trying to comfort you," Xu Chuan said kindly. "If you achieve mastery of your craft, it will be most beneficial to the Xu family."

Whether it's alchemy, weapon crafting, or anything else, once one's mastery reaches a certain level, it's enough for one person to support an entire family.

Look at Grandma, she's a perfect example.

Xu Deling seemed to be deep in thought, then clasped his hands and said, "Ling'er will never let Grandfather down."

　There will be another update at noon!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)