Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 184 Clan Head Assessment? (Two Chapters Combined, Bonus Chapter)

"Father prefers the fourth option, but how do we divide them?"

As Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Chuan, he was still thinking about what to do.

Xu Chuan smiled and scanned the crowd. "You all want to know?"

"Yes," Xu Mingshu said.

The others nodded in agreement.

"This is a topic for you guys to work on. Deling doesn't need to consider it. Mingshu, your brain probably isn't big enough for it. You should focus on raising your spirit insects and tiger cubs."

"I remember the offspring of the Azure Fire Eagle should also be trained; tell the three brothers to hurry up."

"Oh, Father, why are you acting like Mother, urging Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San?"

"How can this be the same? You watched them grow up, and reproduction is their nature. Are you going to keep them by your side for the rest of your life?"

"Alright, daughter, I'll do as you say." Xu Mingshu was speechless once again.

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "A new era for the Xu family is about to begin, and this can also be considered a test for the family head."

"The family head assessment?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingxuan immediately said, "Father, then I will withdraw."

“Your temperament is indeed not suitable for being the head of the family, but you must honestly think about this matter.”

Xu Mingxuan, with a drooping face, cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Father."

"Mingxian, you can also think about it, but the focus should still be on the array."

"My child understands."

“Favoritism,” Xu Mingxuan muttered.

"You can speak louder," Xu Chuan said calmly.

"What, Father? I mean, your arrangement is just too reasonable."

Everyone smiled knowingly upon hearing this.

"I'll call you over again in three days," Xu Chuan said. "Go back now."

"Your son (grandson) takes his leave!"

Xu Mingyuan went back and pondered for half a day, sorting out all the existing resources and trump cards of the Xu family.

The alliance of the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families poses a certain threat to the Xu family, but in reality, the threat is not significant.

The Xu family's protective formation is a second-tier, high-grade Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Formation. It is not only a defensive formation but also has the effect of an attack formation.

Even those in the early stages of Foundation Establishment could be killed by brute force; if the three families were to actually attack the Xu family's territory, they would surely not return alive.

Moreover, in addition to this second-tier superior formation, there is also a first-tier defensive formation. Later, Xu Mingxian gained some insights from comprehending the formation Dao inheritance and set up a first-tier superior trapping formation.

It was fraught with danger!
However, very few people in the Xu family know about these secrets, and they will only be revealed in the event of a real crisis. The three families joining forces are clearly not enough.

"Differentiation, but how should it be differentiated?"

Suddenly, Xu Mingyuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slapped his forehead and then burst into laughter. "I'm so stupid. I thought I could see through people's hearts, but I only realized something so simple now."

"Father is still the better father!"

"When did it start?"

"Pests, the establishment of a clan, or is it the beginning of my Xu family's emergence onto the surface of Moon Lake County?"

Xu Mingyuan spent half a day figuring it out, after which he continued to handle the affairs of the Discipline Hall or check the messages sent back by the Dark Division.

Afterwards, he practiced the art of talisman making on his own.

Now, in addition to the Fireball talisman, he has also learned the Ice Cone talisman and the Earth Defense talisman.

Compared to the former, the latter is indeed much more difficult.

For example, it took Xu Mingyuan nine attempts to successfully draw the first Ice Cone Talisman, and he made thirteen mistakes to draw the Earth Defense Talisman.

After increasing the success rate of Ice Cone Talisman and Earth Defense Talisman by more than 50%, he planned to learn other low-grade talismans such as Swiftness Talisman, Transmission Talisman, Wind Blade Talisman, and Golden Sword Talisman.

Low-grade talismans are very cheap; three to five talismans cost only one spirit stone in the market.

Of course, the materials used are also very inexpensive.

Low-grade talismans are usually traded on a one-to-one basis.

Mid-grade talismans are more expensive, costing five or six spirit stones each.

As for top-grade quality, it's normal for it to be sixty or seventy.

Of course, even mid-grade talismans are hard to find in Moon Lake Market, let alone high-grade talismans, which may not be available for sale for several years.

After all, high-grade talismans are incredibly powerful, even more so than high-grade magic weapons. They are usually kept as a last resort and only used in critical moments.

Nearly two days have passed.

Xu Mingwei finally understood why Xu Chuan implied that the matter was very simple.

His expression showed absolutely no sign of worry.

Even the Zhou family would have to be cautious if the three families joined forces.

"Father, you're so boring, you even set a trap for us brothers."

Having understood the reasoning behind it, Xu Mingwei stopped paying attention and focused all his energy on cultivation.

He has reached the late-stage peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, and is only one step away from the perfect Qi Refining realm.

Perhaps the breakthrough will occur before the annual festival, or perhaps it will occur after the annual festival.

The outcome will be clear within two months at the latest.

Xu Mingxuan also came to this realization around the same time as Xu Mingwei, but he only understood it after listening to his son Xu Deheng.

I mentioned this to Xu Deheng when I was bored.

Xu Deheng was very serious upon hearing this, just as they had been when they first heard it.

After all, the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families are all established fifth-rank families, with the Yuan family being the second most powerful immortal cultivation family in the county after the Zhou family.

"Father, why are the three families joining forces? I don't understand what conflict or antagonism my Xu family has with the other three families. Please enlighten me, Father."

"Oh, of course."

Xu Mingxuan stopped abruptly and muttered to himself, "Yes, why did the three families join forces? There were no conflicts before, the only conflict was..."
But the Xu family wouldn't allow it either.

"Father, what are you talking about? Why do you seem confused?"

"Haha, you don't need to worry about that, but you've done a good job and also woke me up. What 'three parties joining forces'? It's clearly a rhetorical trap."

Xu Deheng was still puzzled. Although he was intelligent, he didn't know much about the Xu family's background, nor was he very clear about external affairs.

It's impossible to deduce all the details from this.

Xu Mingxuan patted his head. "Don't overthink it. This has nothing to do with you."

"The three-way alliance is nothing but a bunch of worthless idiots. My Xu family will continue to develop as it always has, and there is absolutely no need for us to stay for them."

"Alright, Father."

Xu Deheng was a little annoyed. He only said half of what he was going to say, which made people so impatient that they wanted to hit him!
Am I being too low-key?
The true center of power in the Xu family is perhaps filled with many affairs, great responsibilities, and heavy burdens.

But they won't be kept in the dark about everything.

Xu Mingshu thought about it for a while but seemed to have no solution, so she simply passed the question on to Xiaobai and the three Qinghuoying brothers.

Little White's thoughts were so intense that all the white fur fell to the ground.

The Blue Firehawk is almost bald.

Xu Mingshu then reluctantly let them go.

Xu Mingxian didn't think about it too deeply.

Just as Xu Chuan had said, he gave up after a little thought and focused on comprehending the inheritance of the formation.

For him, this was the most important thing.

It can also provide the Xu family with the greatest help.

Finally, there's Xu Dezhao.

He didn't understand until the evening of the third day. "I wonder how my father, second uncle, and third uncle are doing, and whether they've figured things out yet."

Xu Dezhao was somewhat excited.

"Husband, what's wrong? Why are you so excited?"

"Of course I'm excited, because my Xu family is about to develop further, and a new era is about to begin for my Xu family."

Perhaps the same applies to Moon Lake County.

Shen Qingyi didn't quite understand these things, and smiled gently, "Husband, it's time to rest."

Xu Dezhao glanced at her; she had just finished bathing, and her snow-white skin still had a few water droplets on it, with her cheeks slightly pink.

Like a lotus flower emerging from clear water, she is endearing and lovable.

"Madam, you are so beautiful."

Perhaps due to his previous excitement, Xu Dezhao stayed up half the night.

The two then embraced and fell asleep.

the next morning.

Everyone gathered in Xu Chuan's quiet room.

Xu Chuan glanced at everyone and immediately understood the situation.

Xu Mingyuan was the same.

After sitting down.

He transmitted his voice to Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxuan, saying, "Brother, Mingxuan, a new era is about to begin in Yuehu County, and our Xu family should also have a new look."

I think Dezhao seems very confident.

Xu Mingwei responded: "It's time to choose a successor. My father had previously asked me to temporarily take over."

“De Zhao is talented and capable. He has high prestige among his brothers and sisters and also has a good overall perspective. He is a good candidate.”

The three elders immediately formed a united front and gave way to Xu Dezhao.

"The three days have passed. Now, everyone, tell me who wants to go first." Xu Chuan looked around at everyone.

Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Xu Mingxuan lowered their heads in deep thought, Xu Mingshu winked and made faces, Xu Mingxian closed her eyes to rest, and Xu Deling was eager to try.

Xu Dezhao, however, observed the crowd discreetly.

I felt a little smug.

"Ming Shu, why are you making those faces?"

"No." Xu Mingshu asked Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan for an answer via telepathy, but no one responded, which made her very frustrated.

Is this a blocked message?
"De Ling, you have something to say, so you go first."

"Yes, Grandpa, then Deling will make a fool of herself."

Xu Deling said, "I think that since the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families can form an alliance and win over other aristocratic families, then my Xu family can do the same. In terms of superior resources, my Xu family far surpasses the three of them."

Everyone is driven by profit, and the heads of other powerful families will surely be tempted, perhaps even willing to pay a price to persuade the Zhou family to join them.

"As long as we are powerful, the alliance of the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families will collapse without a fight."

"It's good to use our overwhelming power to suppress them, but if the three families don't make a move, wouldn't my Xu family be giving away resources to the other families for nothing, just to win them over and give them support? That's a bit of a waste," Xu Chuan commented.

"What Father said is true. These Qi cultivation families have been entrenched in the county town for at least one or two hundred years. They have complex relationships, many informants, and intermarriages among the families."

If there's any sign of trouble, they'll probably back down. And the resources my Xu family has agreed to, even if we don't give them all at once, we'll give them a portion first. Otherwise, we can't just talk the talk and we can't persuade those powerful families.

These resources will ultimately become part of his family's foundation.

Xu Mingwei said calmly, "Ling'er, your thinking is still somewhat one-sided."

"Ling'er has learned a lot. Thank you for your teachings, Father," Xu Deling said, cupping her hands to Xu Mingwei.

"Are there any others?" Xu Chuan asked again.

Seeing that his father and the other elders did not intend to speak, Xu Dezhao thought for a moment and then said, "Grandpa, let me also say what I think."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

"In fact, the alliance of the three families is not actually three families. Since the Xu family came to the surface, the family with the greatest conflict with the Xu family is the Yuan family."

Xu Dezhao smiled slightly, his eyes flashing with confidence, and slowly said, "My Xu family obtained 30% of the resources, seizing the Yuan family's interests. My Xu family also formed a marriage alliance with the Zhou family, stealing the limelight from the Yuan family."

Originally, with the Su family destroyed, the Yuan family should have been the second largest family in Yuehu County. However, the Xu family suddenly emerged, which displeased them.

It was only because of the marriage alliance between Xu and Zhou that they were wary.

That's why the Yuan family stirred up trouble at my Xu family's ascension celebration.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Originally, our Xu family should have taken revenge long ago, but Grandfather dealt with it by stopping the matter. At the time, I thought that Grandfather was thinking of the overall situation of the Xu family."

After all, at that time, the Xu family had just become a family of cultivators. If they were to start a war with the Yuan family, it would be too arrogant and domineering.

But only now does the grandson understand his grandfather's other plan: to lull the Yuan family into complacency and indulge them.

Until the pest infestation, all the families suffered huge losses in their spiritual fields, except for my Xu family.

Unfortunately, my Xu family has also developed an insect repellent liquid, which we sell at a high price to other aristocratic families. This has caused many aristocratic families to feel dissatisfied with my Xu family.

Furthermore, the Xu family's business schemes, along with the appearance of high-grade elixirs and magical artifacts, aroused their greed.

The fact that the trading company was spread throughout Moon Lake County made them realize the Xu family's ambition.

This is what made the Yuan family so anxious that they finally stepped forward, wanting to destroy the Xu family before it could truly grow strong.

Upon hearing this, Xu Deling thought for a moment and then asked, "What about the Lu family and the Huang family?"

"They are nothing but fools who are afraid of my Xu family and have been instigated by the Yuan family."

Xu Mingshu also asked, "Your second uncle previously said that the three families might reach an alliance in private, making a vow to advance and retreat together."

Xu Dezhao glanced at Xu Chuan, then his gaze fell on Xu Mingshu's face. "Aunt, do you think it's possible for all three families to make a vow?"

"That shouldn't be the case; it's most likely the head of the family."

"That's right. When it comes to the life and death of an individual, compared to the entire family, which is more important? If you were to choose, Aunt, would you choose to protect yourself or the family?"

"Of course, it's about protecting the family. My Xu family has come a long way through hardships, though I haven't experienced it myself."

But my parents gave me life and raised me, my brothers protected me, and my family gave me a happy place to grow up.

The life or death of one person is insignificant compared to that of their family, or even hundreds or thousands of clansmen.

Xu Dezhao smiled and said, "If a person is wholeheartedly devoted to their family, no matter which family they belong to, they will share the same thoughts as you, Aunt."

Therefore, regardless of whether the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families swore an oath to form an alliance.

We only need to target the Yuan family, clearly tell the other two families, and then use the overwhelming power that Ling'er mentioned before, along with promises of benefits, to break the alliance between the three families.

And the benefits don't need to be tangible; a verbal promise, a bright future, is enough!

Xu Mingxuan chuckled and said, "Second Brother, Zhao'er has learned to make empty promises just like you. Is she secretly cooking for herself?"

"What private kitchen? Listen more, talk less, observe more, and learn more!" Xu Mingyuan said calmly, nodding in satisfaction at Xu Dezhao's words.

"Hearing Dezhao say this, it seems that the three-family alliance can really be defeated in just a few words, and my Xu family doesn't even have to exert much effort."

Xu Mingshu smiled and looked at Xu Chuan, "Father, is what Zhao'er said what you think?"

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded.

Xu Mingshu added, "My elder brother and the others never expected this. It seems that the position of head of the family is undoubtedly rightfully Dezhao's."

“Aunt, you flatter me. Compared to Father and Uncles, I am still very young and have much to learn.”

"Be modest." Xu Mingshu patted his shoulder. "In my Xu family, the capable rise and the mediocre fall. You agree, Father."

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(End of this chapter)