Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 189 The Changes at Moon Lake: A Choice for the Huang and Lu Families

Three days later.

The Xu family held a vassal ceremony and invited all vassal families to attend.

Wu Mingsheng publicly presented the inheritance of the art of craftsmanship.

Shortly thereafter.

Wu Da, Wu Er, and Wu San all married in succession.

Although the Xu family has promised to protect them for two hundred years, the Wu family itself must also strive to produce more descendants with the aptitude for cultivating immortality.

The collection of the five elements involves finding places where the five elements are abundant and using secret methods to collect the essence of the five elements.

The essence of water is naturally collected from lakes, rivers, and other similar places.

There happens to be a lake in Dongxi.

Because of the presence of spirit fish and some aquatic plants that produce a little spiritual energy, this is sufficient for collection.

The Wood element energy makes the Broken Tooth Mountain range lush with vegetation.

The fire element is quite troublesome; one needs to find a place where the fire element is strong.

Therefore, this task was entrusted to Wu Zhen, who was knowledgeable and experienced.

Earth elemental energy is also simple; the ground beneath your feet is boundless earth, and you can practice it anywhere.

As for the elemental energy of metal, one must find a mineral vein.

The Xu family did find a few veins in the cliff mountain range. Although they were all ordinary mineral veins and mining would be a bit troublesome, they did not need to leave the cave to search like Wu Zhen did.

If the Spirit Iron Mine were discovered in Moonlake County, it would surely cause a bloodbath.

However, like spirit stone mines, these are rare.

Most of them are buried deep underground.

During this period, the Xu family's development did not stop at all.

Xu's Trading Company has thoroughly established itself in all the county towns.

The path to advancement has been opened, and all the families are filled with excitement.

In the county town's commercial establishments.

Martial arts techniques cost only one hundred taels, while innate techniques cost five hundred taels, greatly lowering the threshold for martial arts.

Besides purchasing with silver, you can also take any rare items to the merchant guild for appraisal and exchange.

After all, there are so many people in a prefecture, and perhaps some commoner has gained an opportunity without even realizing it.

Of course, this possibility is extremely low.

In addition to the exercises, there are also Qi and Blood Pills, medicinal cuisine, Qi-Opening Pills, and Qi-Inducing Pills, all with clearly marked prices.

There is also a primordial martial elixir.

However, they are not as numerous as those in the county town's trading houses.

The Xu family currently doesn't have many resources available for those above the Innate level; their focus is on cultivating their own family members, and they only release some when they have extra.

If it's congenital or otherwise, there aren't many problems.

The Xu family's businesses spanned almost the entire county, and they had long accumulated immense wealth and medicinal resources needed by martial artists.

In addition to accumulating more resources, Xu Jiakai Trading Company was also building an intelligence network and collecting information from various counties.

If there is any major discovery, the Xu family will be informed as quickly as possible.

In any case, every business the Xu family opened was extremely profitable.

Then, a portion of the resources and wealth are taken and given back to the people, ultimately forming a virtuous cycle.

While the Xu family was developing rapidly.

Yuan Lu and Huang were secretly contacting other Qi cultivation families or martial arts families.

Those from families with a long history of Qi cultivation might be interested.

However, most martial arts families refused.

Because the Xu family opened up many avenues, other martial arts families saw hope for the improvement of their clan's strength and the advancement of their families.

They even contacted the "Moon Lake Martial Arts Alliance".

Today, the "Moon Lake Martial Alliance" has developed into a huge organizational force in Moon Lake County, with nearly 40% of the martial arts families in the county joining it.

Members of the alliance travel to various places to collect spiritual herbs, medicinal materials and resources, in exchange for martial arts resources or even cultivation resources.

Perhaps some astute families have realized that the "Moon Lake Martial Alliance" is not as simple as it seems, and is not controlled by the Chang and Yang families on the surface.

Even if they suspected it was related to the Xu family, they would not make it public.

As long as it benefits their own family, they don't care who they work for.

Are we really going to have to go back to the old ways, having to beg for the meager resources from the major cultivation families?

Yuan family.

The heads of the Huang and Lu families are both here.

"The Xu family's actions have completely won over the hearts of all the martial arts families in our Yuehu County. Before, when they saw us, they would wag their tails and beg for food like dogs."

Although they still greet us with smiles, their attitude is completely different now. It's as if they've stood up from the inside out, as if one day they too can stand shoulder to shoulder with us.

The head of the Lu family kept muttering to himself, his anger palpable.

The head of the Huang family remarked, "I have to admit that the Xu family is truly generous."

“With resources being released by various counties, can the Xu family really hold on?” Yuan Jia chuckled. “We don’t know what kind of families these are; they’re all ungrateful wolves.”

While it may seem to be favoring the Xu family now, it could turn against them if the Xu family were to stop supplying them one day.

However, it seems the Xu family will never see that day.

The head of the Lu family's eyes lit up, and he looked at Yuan Chenggang, saying, "Brother Yuan, do you have good news?"

Yuan Chenggang stroked his beard and said with a faint smile, "Three families have already agreed to send their late-stage Qi Refining experts."

"That's all?" The Huang family patriarch frowned slightly.

"Brother Huang, don't you think about it? Right now, the Xu family is on the rise, and everyone is hoping to trade high-grade pills and magic artifacts with the Xu family's trading company."

How could they really gamble everything on us?

However, having more late-stage Qi Refining experts is a good thing, don't you think?

The heads of the Huang and Lu families looked at each other and nodded slightly.

Immediately afterwards, Yuan Chenggang added, "The Xu family has developed too quickly. Now, Xu family businesses have appeared in every county town, which shows that their intentions are obvious and they are targeting the entire prefecture."

“I noticed that too, but what intrigues me is why the Zhou family remains indifferent. Do you think the Zhou family might be orchestrating everything behind the scenes?” The Lu family head rubbed his chin, pondering.

“This is inconsistent with the Zhou family’s usual style of doing things.” Yuan Chenggang shook his head and said, “The Zhou family is already the overlord of Yuehu County. In terms of stability, the old way was the best.”

There is no need to open up many avenues for ordinary people, common families, and martial arts families.

A single dominant entity with a strict class system would further facilitate its rule over Yuehu County.

As for the free exchange of ideas, if things go wrong, the Zhou family could also get burned.

"Isn't the Xu family afraid that too many powerful families in Yuehu County will rise up and one day turn against them?"

The head of the Huang family voiced the doubts that the other two had in their hearts.

They couldn't understand this either.

Throughout the entire Great Wei Dynasty, no aristocratic family has ever acted in this way.

Reform Yuehu County to enhance its overall strength?
But if one is not careful, this could become a catastrophe, triggering a far more profound upheaval than the previous "Su-Zhou dispute".

Previously, it only involved martial arts families and immortal cultivation families in the county.

If the Xu family does this, and chaos ensues, the entire Yuehu County, from the county seat to the county town, and even the countryside, will be drawn into it.

Yuan Chenggang frowned and pondered, then said, "No matter what, if the Xu family continues to develop, regardless of the future of Yuehu County, at least our three families will be the first to bear the brunt."

As he spoke, a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at the other two family heads. "Brother Huang, Brother Lu, we must take action within two months at most."

We must spare no expense to win over the powerful members of the other aristocratic families.

Two months later, just before our cultivation families were due to pay their taxes, the Xu family probably never expected us to launch a surprise attack at such a critical juncture.

The head of the Huang family hesitated.

He even regretted making the oath of alliance with the Yuan family on that day.

Now that we're all in the same boat, we can only be dragged along by the Yuan family.

“Alright, we’ll do as Brother Yuan says,” the two said in turn.

Zhou family.

This is Zhou Qingfang's place of quiet meditation.

“Ancestor, the Xu family’s plans are becoming clearer, but Shao Yuan can’t understand why the Xu family is doing this. Perhaps it is beneficial to the Xu family.”

But if chaos arises in the future, the calamity will surely be far-reaching.

This could even provoke intervention from the Cao family of the Great Wei.

Last time, our conflict with the Su family involved most of the prominent families in the entire county, which drew a warning from the Cao family. The Xu family is doing the same thing.”

He paused, thought for a moment, and then said, "Could it be that the Xu family is too inexperienced and hasn't figured out the possible consequences of this matter? Should my Zhou family take action?"

Zhou Qingfang pondered repeatedly, but still couldn't discern the true meaning behind the Xu family's actions.

He looked at Zhou Shaoyuan and said, "There's no rush now."

"It won't be enough to cause turmoil in just one or two years. It will take at least several decades or even a hundred years for ordinary families and prominent families in county towns to truly develop before the things you described can happen."

Let's see first.

"For now, let's focus on the affairs of the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families and the Xu family."

"Yes, old man."

The once tranquil situation in Yuehu County was stirred up into a murky mess by the actions of the Xu family.

All the cultivation families could not see clearly.

But for families at the bottom, they seize every opportunity to climb up the social ladder.

Thanks to this.

The Xu family had a thorough understanding of the situation in each county.

They even received several rare medicinal herbs that were two or three hundred years old from the county town, as well as several precious second-tier ores.

There is also information about some monsters.

Upon learning of this, the Xu family issued a task and sent people to investigate.

Once the news was confirmed, a team was immediately assembled, with Xu Mingwei personally leading the way.

The acquisition of monster materials has increased several times compared to the past.

Many families with some wealth exchanged for a considerable amount of martial arts resources to train their descendants.

The number of young martial artists in each county town has suddenly surged.

There are even dozens more of them born with them.

They benefited, and the Xu family benefited even more. The materials from seven or eight late-stage Qi Refining demonic beasts alone were enough to refine many mid-to-high-grade magic weapons.

The variety of medicinal herbs in the Xu family's medicinal herb garden has also increased considerably.

However, both martial arts manuals and resources remain unattainable for ordinary people.

Not everyone is like Xu Chuan, with his mindset and ability to make money.

But how could Xu Chuan not know the potential of the common people?

Therefore, all Xu family businesses in various counties have a rule that if there is not enough money, they can test one's aptitude and qualifications for free.

If one meets the Xu family's requirements, one can enter the Xu family and receive their training.

Today, in the entire Yuehu County, there may be people who do not know the Zhou family, the Yuan family, the Huang family, or the Lu family, but there will definitely be no one who does not know the Xu family.

Its reputation has long spread throughout the entire Yuehu County.

This includes the fact that the Xu family had always treated people kindly, and that the residents of Dongxi lived in peace and prosperity, a life that resembled a paradise. This news gradually spread. Previously, the Xu family had only been trying to win over the people in the surrounding counties of Qingjiang County, but now the Xu family was going all out and casting a wide net.

In recent days, hundreds of children and teenagers without any roots have entered the Xu family.

Even those with the aptitude for cultivating immortality were discovered, numbering thirty or forty.

Other established families wouldn't even consider it worthwhile, nor would they bother to train someone from scratch.

However, the Xu family has abundant resources but few people, so what they want is someone with a clean background and loyalty to the Xu family.

These people were all satisfied, so there was no reason for the Xu family not to accept them.

Twenty years later.

Among these people, there may be those who have formed marriage alliances with the Xu family.

Or perhaps someone famous throughout the entire Moon Lake County!
October arrived in the blink of an eye.

The head of the Yuan family also won over several other prominent families, while the heads of the Lu and Huang families also recruited some people.

It's just a matter of choosing the right time.

The three families then prepared to take action.

Little did they know that the frequent interactions between the three families were being observed by some birds.

These birds were all controlled by Xu Mingshu.

“Father, in the past few months, the Yuan, Lu and Huang families have visited many martial arts families and immortal cultivation families, but we don’t know which family has been won over.”

"Controlling ordinary birds is enough to obtain this information; if it were demonic beasts, they would probably be discovered very quickly," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

Xu Mingshu nodded, then said, "They haven't made any moves for several days. Are they planning to put things on hold for now and wait until after the taxes are paid, then look for another opportunity next year?"

"It's hard to say. Perhaps this is just a deceptive appearance, but in reality, it's a sign of the approaching storm."

"So fast? I thought they would need to prepare for at least a year. How could they have gathered enough power to suppress my Xu family so quickly?"

"In this battle to the death, the more trump cards the better." Xu Chuan glanced at Xu Mingshu and said with a faint smile, "But my Xu family's actions have been too big, which has frightened them."

“That’s true.” Xu Mingshu grinned. “I bet the Zhou family is feeling quite uneasy.”

"Although I don't know the exact time they launched their attack, there are always clues. Ming Shu, from now on, you will send Qing Huoying and the other two to keep an eye on the three families."

No need to be close.

"When someone raises a protective array of light, it's usually a sign that action is about to begin."

"Activate the formation?"

"Everyone is prone to worry and fear of loss. Even if it costs them their lives, they would still want to protect the safety of the family."

“Father is right.” Xu Mingshu nodded and immediately did as she was told.

In just four or five days.

As expected, both the Huang and Lu families raised their array light screens, and the clans were on high alert, as if they were afraid of being attacked.

Upon learning this, Xu Chuan smiled slightly and immediately summoned Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian. The three of them then went to the Huang family together.

Outside the Huang family's territory.

Xu Chuan transmitted his voice into the room, and the Huang family guards immediately informed the Huang family head of the news.

The Huang family patriarch's face turned deathly pale, and a look of shock flashed in his eyes. "Why have they come to my Huang family at this time? Could it be..."

However, the three people from the Xu family were of extraordinary status.

A Grand Elder, a former family head, and a genius of the Xu family.

If you don't see it, people will only think you're guilty.

The head of the Huang family went there immediately, his complexion had returned to normal, and there was no sign of anything unusual.

They led the three elders, including the first elder of the Huang family, to the array light screen and confronted Xu Chuan and his two companions.

He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Brother Xu, why have you brought your son here so suddenly?"

"I was just curious. I came to visit the Huang family on a whim, but why did the Huang family suddenly set up an array of restrictions? Could it be that they have recently been attacked?"

Is he cunning and shrewd, trying to extract information from me?

The Huang family patriarch immediately followed his train of thought and said, "That's right. Not long ago, a rogue cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining attacked our Huang family and injured some of our clansmen."

Unfortunately, it escaped. To prevent further losses for my Huang family, I activated the magic array.

"Is that so?" Xu Chuan smiled faintly at the head of the Huang family. "My Xu family now has some connections, so perhaps we can help the Huang family investigate."

"This matter is a matter for my Huang family, so the Xu family need not worry about it."

“Alright, then please, Patriarch Huang, open the array restrictions so that we can go in and have a chat.”

"Brother Xu, is there something you need?"

"Even if there's nothing to do, we can still connect and build relationships. Could it be that the Huang family is unwilling and is determined to oppose my Xu family?"

The Huang family patriarch's heart skipped a beat, and he was filled with unease. He forced a smile and said, "How could that be? Of course I welcome Brother Xu, a master alchemist, to come."

"If you could trade me a few bottles of high-grade pills from the Huang family, that would be wonderful."

Having said all that, the Huang family patriarch had no choice but to lift the restrictions and let him in, then led him to the main hall.

The Huang family's First Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder were also present.

However, their attention was always on Xu Chuan and the other two.

The head of the Huang family looked at Xu Chuan and asked earnestly, "Brother Xu, what important matter brings you to my Huang family? Please speak plainly."

Xu Chuan calmly picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then said, "Since Brother Huang has no ill intentions towards my Xu family, I am relieved."

"The purpose of this visit is to invite the Huang family to join forces with my Xu family to deal with the Yuan family."

The Huang family patriarch and the elders all had their pupils constricted and looked at each other in dismay.

"Brother Xu, what do you mean by this? My Huang family has no grudge against the Yuan family, so why would we attack the Yuan family?"

“But the Yuan family has repeatedly provoked my Xu family. I heard that they have contacted many people and are preparing to take action. How can my Xu family tolerate this again and again?”

Xu Chuan gently put down his teacup and said calmly, "Therefore, I think that for the sake of stability in Yuehu County, it is best to let the Yuan family disappear completely."

"This"

"Brother Huang, you refuse? Do you perhaps think that my Xu family has no chance of winning?"

The head of the Huang family had a bitter pill to swallow.

Xu Chuan said, "But the Huang family may not be able to refuse this matter."

"Why?" The Grand Elder, who was also at the ninth level of Qi Refining, snorted coldly and looked at Xu Chuan and the other two with an unfriendly expression.

"If the Huang family won't make a move, then my Xu family will have no choice but to eliminate the Huang family as well," Xu Chuan said casually, but his tone was firm.

"Xu Chuan, your Xu family is far too domineering!" the Second Elder said. "Even the Zhou family wouldn't act like this. You were the one who invited us. Does the Huang family have to deal with us just because we disagree?"

"If word gets out that you're acting this way, I'll see how you manage to establish yourself in Moon Lake County!"

"hehe."

Xu Mingxian sneered, a look of disdain flashing in her eyes, "Why is that? Doesn't your Huang family know perfectly well?"

“My father is giving the Huang family a chance. After all, your Huang family has never had any ill intentions towards my Xu family before. Otherwise, you would have ended up like the Yuan family, which is what you deserve.”

The Second Elder stared wide-eyed, wanting to say something, but unable to utter a word.

After all, the alliance between the Huang family and the Yuan and Lu families was a secret.

The head of the Huang family also had a gloomy expression. "It seems that Brother Xu's visit today is not well-intentioned. Then I apologize that the Huang family will not entertain you."

"Brother Huang, are you really going to drag the entire Huang family down with you? If so, I, Xu, will say no more today and turn to leave."

The head of the Huang family looked ashen.

What's going on? Why are they so quick to threaten to wipe out entire clans?!

He felt that if he didn't get to the bottom of things today, he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully for the rest of the day.

What exactly do you want?

"On the day the Yuan family attacked my Xu family, they turned against the Lu family and destroyed the Yuan family. Their clan lands will belong to my Xu family, and you and the Lu family will split 30% of the resources equally."

The Huang family patriarch and all the elders were horrified.

"You guys"

The three elders of the Huang family immediately released their magical artifacts, three flying swords that hovered above their heads, ringing out continuously.

Xu Chuan and the other two showed no change in expression.

An earthen-yellow square seal appeared out of nowhere, floating in Xu Mingxian's palm, emitting a yellow glow.

The Huang family patriarch said in a gloomy voice, "Brother Xu, your Xu family is truly cunning, but with only three of you here today, aren't you afraid you'll all end up in my Huang family?"

Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled, then stared calmly at the head of the Huang family, "Brother Huang, you think too highly of your Huang family."

"As I said before, I am giving the Huang family a chance."

If you refuse to accept it, then my Xu family naturally has the ability to destroy your Huang family and Yuan family. At that time, my Xu family will gain an extra clan land and the resources of a fifth-grade immortal cultivation family, which is not bad.

However, my Xu family has always been clear about gratitude and resentment. Your Huang family has never been hostile to my Xu family before. Why are you acting this way this time? I know the answer perfectly well.

I can tell you definitively that the Huang family and the Yuan family are doomed to perish.

"Our Xu family has no interest in your Huang family's land. You've been misled by the Yuan family and insist on dragging your own family down with you. Our Xu family wouldn't advise someone seeking death!"

The Grand Elder's expression was extremely solemn and wary as he asked, "How do you know that your Xu family will definitely win?"

"With the Huang, Lu, and Yuan families joining forces, and with the help of other prominent families, even the Zhou family would have to be cautious or even give way. How can your Xu family possibly compete?"

Xu Chuan didn't say much, and immediately took out a token from his storage bag and tossed it to the Grand Elder.

"Dan? Thirteen? What's this?"

Xu Mingwei said calmly, "My father is the thirteenth honorary minister of the Pill Hall, and it is precisely because of this that the Zhou family is willing to form a private alliance with my Xu family."

"With my father's connections and the Zhou family's influence, if he just makes a promise, all the powerful families in the entire Yuehu County will stand on my Xu family's side."

The Huang family patriarch couldn't believe it. He snatched the token from the Grand Elder's hand, examined it repeatedly, and muttered, "The thirteenth elder of the Pill Hall, the thirteenth elder of the Pill Hall?!"

He then gave a self-deprecating laugh, “No wonder when we paid taxes the last time, the imperial envoy asked about you as soon as he opened his mouth, and only paid attention to you, Xu Chuan.”

"What a fine alchemy hall retainer! What a fine Xu family!"

Xu Mingxian said calmly, "My Xu family has always kept a low profile, so naturally we don't bother to go around telling people."

Low key?

Is it considered low-key to have an affair with the prefectural capital and all the county towns?

Is this a low-key approach, aiming to win over all prominent families by opening up numerous avenues?

What kind of low-key attitude is this?!
"Since I have said this much, I will not say any more, but I think you Huang family do not have many days left to consider this."

The Huang family members were suddenly jolted.

The same thought popped into my head: How did he find out?

"As I said before, the Huang family can still get 15% of the Yuan family's resources. Of course, if your Huang family insists on tying yourself to the Yuan family and trying to challenge my Xu family, that's fine with you."

I have also made the consequences of taking action clear.

The Huang family can make their own decision.

We will be waiting for you at Dongxi.

Xu Chuan stood up, intending to leave, but paused, turned around and laughed, "Backing down won't do. Once you've embarked on this path, if the Yuan family isn't destroyed, you'll all be buried with them."

After saying this, Xu Chuan and the other two left.

They didn't even notice that the Huang family's formation hadn't stopped Xu Chuan and his two companions at all.

This is also a warning to the Huang family!
After leaving the Huang family, Xu Chuan took the two of them to the Lu family, leaving the Lu family to make their own decision.

The main hall of the Huang family.

The atmosphere was unusually heavy, the air so oppressive it felt suffocating.

　The next chapter will be at 10 PM.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)